Princess Diana’s 1997 Landmine Walk
BBC archive clips provide a detailed look at Princess Diana’s landmine walk in Angola on January 15, 1997. This event sparked a global conversation and marked a significant moment in the fight against landmines.
Princess Diana, adorned in protective gear, walked through a live minefield in Huambo, Angola, during her visit as a guest of the International Red Cross in January 1997. The country, emerging from a brief period of peace after a 20-year civil war, was heavily contaminated with over 15 million landmines, causing widespread civilian casualties and hindering post-conflict recovery.
Diana’s walk, alongside mine removal expert Paul Heslop from the Halo Trust, was not merely symbolic but a challenge to governments to address the suffering caused by landmines. Her advocacy played a crucial role in mobilizing public opinion and diplomatic pressure for demining efforts and a global ban on landmines.
Despite facing opposition from some UK politicians at the time, Diana remained steadfast in her humanitarian mission. Her efforts led to increased funding for demining projects and the creation of the Ottawa Treaty in 1999. However, the global landmine issue persists, with key countries refusing to sign the treaty, and new mines being laid in conflict zones.
Diana’s advocacy legacy lives on through her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, who continue her work. Organizations like the Halo Trust, Mines Advisory Group (MAG), and the International Campaign to Ban Landmines remain dedicated to global demining efforts and supporting affected communities. Meanwhile, the landmine problem remains extensive, posing a deadly threat in various conflict and post-conflict regions worldwide.